Speak Out 9/28/10

Tax cuts

I could not help but to think about today's reading in church from the Book of Amos: We will buy the lonely man for silver and the poor man for a pair of sandals. Wealthy and powerful people are exploiting the poor and the weak. God is not pleased. This reminds me of today's politicians who will not extend middle-class tax cuts unless millionaires and billionaires get them also. It saddens me to see how some Christians see their earthly monetary value more important than their fellow man.

Taking back America

I hear all the time from the right, especially Sarah Palin, about taking the country back. I always wonder, from who or what? We're still under the Constitution. We have the Bill of Rights. We vote. Congress makes laws. The flag flies. People complain about the government in power and aren't thrown in jail. The press writes disparagingly about the party in power, and they aren't shut down. Do they mean take back the political power?

Stimulus funding

I saw in Sunday's paper where Recovery Act stimulus money is going to be used for overtime pay related to crime investigations due to burglaries in Charleston. This could be why the stimulus hasn't been working. It's not making new jobs.

Real estate sales tax

UNDER the new health care legislation, is it true that real estate transactions will be subject to a 3.8 percent sales tax? The bulk of these new taxes won't be effective until 2013, but if you sell a $400,000 home there will be $15,200 in taxes. What in the world is our world coming to with this kind of stuff? This certainly needs to be pursued, and the taxpayers should have an opportunity to vote.

Support quarry

I hope the citizens in the Fruitland area will take the opportunity to attend the Sept. 28 meeting at Saxony Lutheran High School to support Mr. Strack's rock quarry. This will mean economic improvements, a tax base for the area, more jobs and it will really improve the area in the long run.

Permanent signs

I'M driving through Cape Girardeau, and they have these signs that tell you what speed you're going. But this is the first I've ever seen permanently mounted signs. It looked like there was a police car right in front of the house where they live. I've never seen any signs like that, and I didn't know if Cape Girardeau made them permanent.

Accountability

TRACY McClard illustrates a problem with our society today. Way too many people expect the government to adjust and conform to their individuality instead of individuals conforming to the laws and the rules that are put in place. Her kid broke the rules. Now the whole juvenile system is supposed to change according to Mrs. McClard because her child never learned that he had to be held accountable for his actions.

New construction

AM I correct in assuming that the road that is now being constructed, starting at the Missouri Veterans Home between Cape Girardeau and Jackson is to continue south parallel to Interstate 55 to the new Southeast Missouri Hospital building? If so, this should shorten the trip for veterans home residents going to Southeast Missouri Hospital by at least five minutes.

Medicare cuts

IN response to the person who claimed the Republicans want to lower Medicare funding: this has already been done in the health care bill. In the next three years, Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals will be cut 30 percent causing doctors to accept fewer Medicare patients and probably cause many hospitals to close their doors. Not one Republican voted for this bill.

No new taxes

TAXES are expensive enough. I say: No new taxes.

No quarry

FRUITLAND is a beautiful area, and I don't want to see this area marred. It's a route taken to Trail of Tears. I think this area should keep its beauty. I'm sure there's other places a rock quarry could locate.

Quarry benefits

IF the citizens of Fruitland would do a little more research, they may find out that the rock that they want to extract at the quarry has minerals or ingredients that are needed in the new titanium batteries that add about 10 times the life to titanium super batteries.

Bush ended recession

I just saw on TV last night and am reading in the paper this morning that it says the recession ended in June 2009. So I guess Bush did this too. According to President Obama, everything that happened up to this time has been Bush's fault. So I guess Bush is the one that caused the recession to end.

Thank you, Debra

THANK goodness there is one voice of reason on the city council. Thank you, Debra Tracy, for your courageous stance against the casino. It seems that easy money has clouded the thinking of many in our city.

No blasting

JOHN Hubbard mentioned in a letter to the editor a "blast from across the river." I work at Wolf Lake blasting plant. We make dynamite. We never blast dynamite there. He's completely wrong about the blasting across the river. We never blast, we just make it.

Issue fines

WINTER is going to be coming and the snow plow will need to go down the street. People that have driveways and park out on the street should be issued fines for leaving their car in the street instead of in their driveway.

Gambling, not gaming

YES for gaming: Why don't they call it what it is? Gambling. The casinos operate on 10 percent profit.

Psalms 14

IN response to the religious question: The reader may want to read Psalms 14 and that will explain it best. I believe that unbelievers seem more disrespectful to each other than believers.

Obamacare

THERE was an article in Sunday's Southeast Missourian on the editorial page on how Obamacare guts Medicare and Medicaid. I hope that you will read this. President Obama's pledge, that if you like your health care plan you'll be able to keep it, clearly does not apply to senior citizens. It's really important that every senior citizen read this article. You'll be shocked at what you're going to get cut.

Religious question

IT seems that those of us who are religious and believe in the good Lord only speak to folks who disagree about him when we bring it up. I'm not going to argue that he exists, but I believe he does. Some folks need proof, and I guess that's where they're coming from. Maybe you should surround yourself with people who share your beliefs or at least don't bring it up.

Donation disclosure

TEA Party Patriots received a $1 million donation from an anonymous donor. Aren't political organizations required to report the names of their donors?

Probation problem

PROBATION and parole perplex many of us. There are those that appreciate the release given to them and understand the rules. One rule is no association with others on probation. Some follow the letter of instruction. Then there are those that don't. It is a disgrace that those who should be serving time in prison right now think they can do whatever they please. It is an insult if the courts allow these things to go on.

Yes to casino

I am hoping that the voters and the Missouri Gaming Commission OK Cape Girardeau for the new casino. If the voters turn it down, then bingos and lottery tickets should also be outlawed. At least there would be 400 new jobs that would help the local economy. The casino will not cause a drain on the economy anymore than the lottery and bingos already do. Maybe the churches are worried there will be less in the offering plates.

No more caffeine

MIKE Jensen's verbal oration on caffeine led me to abandon my morning coffee immediately and instead have a stiff belt of Old Charter.

Health insurance

IF we allow people to decide not to purchase health insurance, we all pay when they show up at the emergency department. Hospitals can't turn people away. So they treat the uninsured and raise their bills to us to help pay for the unpaid bills. Eventually, that person without insurance gets long term disability and Medicaid. Still, we pay. My health insurance is high enough and already has high deductibles. I don't want to pay for someone who should buy their own insurance.